Cost of Living in Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul costs about the same as the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Saint Paul at a Glance
On the median income of $70,182, state income tax is roughly $6,913/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Saint Paul is Minneapolis's quieter twin, the state capital with a more intimate, neighborhood-driven character than its larger sibling across the river. The cost of living sits right at the national average, making it one of the most affordable state capitals in the country. Median home prices of roughly $290,000 are below Minneapolis and well below peer cities like Denver or Portland. The government sector (state capital), healthcare (Regions Hospital, Gillette Children's), and education (University of Minnesota, Macalester, Hamline, University of St. Thomas) anchor the economy.
Why People Move to Saint Paul
Saint Paul's neighborhoods have a warmth and character that feels more like a collection of small towns than a city of 300,000. Summit Avenue, the longest stretch of preserved Victorian homes in America, is genuinely stunning. Grand Avenue has independent shops and restaurants. The food scene has exploded, particularly along University Avenue with Hmong, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, and Mexican restaurants reflecting the city's remarkable diversity. The Winter Carnival is a beloved tradition. Como Park Zoo is free. For people who find Minneapolis too hip or too busy, Saint Paul offers the same metro access with a calmer personality.
Neighborhoods
Summit Hill and Crocus Hill are the affluent historic neighborhoods near Summit Avenue. Highland Park is family-friendly with Mac-Groveland adjacent. Cathedral Hill has character and walkability. The West 7th corridor is changing rapidly. Lowertown in downtown has loft conversions and arts spaces. University Avenue (the Green Line light rail corridor) connects to Minneapolis and runs through diverse neighborhoods. Frogtown and the East Side are the most affordable and most diverse.
Things to Consider
Minnesota's income tax reaches 9.85%, among the highest in the nation. Combined with the 8.88% sales tax, the tax burden is significant. Winter is brutal: average January highs are 24 degrees, lows near 8, and subzero stretches are normal. Saint Paul's downtown has struggled more than Minneapolis with vacancy and vibrancy. The city's infrastructure is older. If your career is in Minneapolis, the commute across the river adds time. The smaller population means fewer restaurants, bars, and entertainment options than Minneapolis.
Compare Saint Paul To...
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Paul
Minneapolis is larger, more corporate, more nightlife-oriented, and has the chain of lakes. Saint Paul is the state capital, more neighborhood-driven, quieter, with Victorian architecture and a literary tradition (F. Scott Fitzgerald grew up on Summit Avenue). Minneapolis trends younger and hipper. Saint Paul trends older and more established. Locals describe it as: Minneapolis is where you go out; Saint Paul is where you come home. Housing is slightly cheaper in Saint Paul.
Yes. January averages are around 24 degrees for highs and 8 for lows, with wind chill regularly pushing apparent temperatures below zero. The winter lasts roughly from November through March. However, Twin Cities residents have adapted: skyway systems connect downtown buildings, homes are built for cold, and winter activities (cross-country skiing, ice fishing, pond hockey, Winter Carnival) make the season part of the culture rather than something to endure.
Very. Saint Paul has one of the largest Hmong populations in the United States, a substantial Somali community, established Mexican-American neighborhoods, and growing East African and Karen (Burmese) communities. University Avenue is a corridor of global cuisines. Macalester College and the University of St. Thomas add international student populations. The diversity is reflected in the food, festivals, and neighborhood character in ways that feel organic rather than performative.